Mayor David, Steffert Tony, Steinfath Paul, Watson Tim, Spencer Neil, Banks Duncan
School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK.
MindSpire, Napier House, 14-16 Mount Ephraim Rd., Tunbridge Wells TN1 1EE, UK.
Sensors (Basel). 2025 Jul 18;25(14):4468. doi: 10.3390/s25144468.
This study investigates the effects of transcutaneous electroacupuncture stimulation (TEAS) on eyeblink rate, EEG, and heart rate variability (HRV), emphasising whether eyeblink data-often dismissed as artefacts-can serve as useful physiological markers. Sixty-six participants underwent four TEAS sessions with different stimulation frequencies (2.5, 10, 80, and 160 pps, with 160 pps as a low-amplitude sham). EEG, ECG, PPG, and respiration data were recorded before, during, and after stimulation. Using non-parametric statistical analyses, including Friedman's test, Wilcoxon, Conover-Iman, and bootstrapping, the study found significant changes across eyeblink, EEG, and HRV measures. Eyeblink laterality, particularly at 2.5 and 10 pps, showed strong frequency-specific effects. EEG power asymmetry and spectral centroids were associated with HRV indices, and 2.5 pps stimulation produced the strongest parasympathetic HRV response. Blink rate correlated with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity. Baseline HRV measures, such as lower heart rate, predicted participant dropout. Eyeblinks were analysed using BLINKER software (v. 1.1.0), and additional complexity and entropy ('CEPS-BLINKER') metrics were derived. These measures were more predictive of adverse reactions than EEG-derived indices. Overall, TEAS modulates multiple physiological markers in a frequency-specific manner. Eyeblink characteristics, especially laterality, may offer valuable insights into autonomic function and TEAS efficacy in neuromodulation research.
本研究调查经皮电针刺激(TEAS)对眨眼率、脑电图(EEG)和心率变异性(HRV)的影响,重点关注常被视为伪迹而被忽略的眨眼数据是否可作为有用的生理指标。66名参与者接受了4次不同刺激频率(2.5、10、80和160次/秒,其中160次/秒为低幅度假刺激)的TEAS治疗。在刺激前、刺激期间和刺激后记录EEG、心电图(ECG)、光电容积脉搏波描记图(PPG)和呼吸数据。通过非参数统计分析,包括弗里德曼检验、威尔科克森检验、康诺弗-伊曼检验和自抽样法,该研究发现眨眼、EEG和HRV测量指标均有显著变化。眨眼偏侧性,尤其是在2.5和10次/秒时,表现出强烈的频率特异性效应。EEG功率不对称性和频谱质心与HRV指标相关,2.5次/秒的刺激产生最强的副交感神经HRV反应。眨眼率与交感神经活动增加和副交感神经活动减少相关。基线HRV测量指标,如较低的心率,可预测参与者退出。使用BLINKER软件(版本1.1.0)分析眨眼,并得出额外的复杂性和熵(“CEPS-BLINKER”)指标。这些指标比EEG衍生指标更能预测不良反应。总体而言,TEAS以频率特异性方式调节多种生理指标。眨眼特征,尤其是偏侧性,可能为神经调节研究中的自主神经功能和TEAS疗效提供有价值的见解。
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